were intercepted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were intercepted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something has been caught or stopped, often referring to communication or objects being captured before reaching their intended destination. Example: "The messages were intercepted by the authorities before they could be delivered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Four passes were intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

Two were intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

Most were intercepted by his wife, Laurene.

The New York Times - Tech

Some specimens were intercepted in the mail.

The New York Times

In Ashdod, two rockets were intercepted.

The Guardian

Grossman's first two passes were intercepted.

The New York Times - Sports

All of Dizaei's phone conversations were intercepted.

Independent

Messages of about 1,680 people were intercepted.

The New York Times

He fumbled twice and three times his passes were intercepted.

The New York Times

Last year, 14 firearms were intercepted at Reagan National checkpoints.

The Washington Post

Another 214 were intercepted on an overloaded freighter last weekend.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were intercepted" when you want to emphasize that something was stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination or recipient. This implies an active effort to prevent the item or information from proceeding further.

Common error

Avoid using "were intercepted" when the active voice is more appropriate and clear. For example, instead of "The data were intercepted by hackers", consider "Hackers intercepted the data" to make the sentence more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were intercepted" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence was acted upon. As Ludwig AI suggests, this passive construction emphasizes that something was stopped or caught, rather than who or what did the stopping.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were intercepted" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase commonly used to indicate that something was stopped or caught before reaching its intended destination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with science and general writing also contributing to its usage. When using this phrase, remember to consider whether active voice might be more direct and impactful. Alternative phrases like "were blocked" or "were caught" can offer subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were blocked

Focuses on the action of obstruction and prevention from passing through

were caught

Highlights the act of capturing something in transit.

were seized

Emphasizes taking possession of something by force or authority.

were stopped

Simple and direct, focusing on the cessation of movement or progress.

were halted

Implies a more formal or abrupt stop to something in progress.

were diverted

Highlights a change of course or direction to prevent arrival.

were averted

Focuses on the prevention of something undesirable from happening.

were forestalled

Suggests taking action to prevent something before it occurs.

were apprehended

Focuses on capturing individuals or items, often in a legal context.

were thwarted

Highlights the successful prevention of a plan or attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "were intercepted" in a sentence?

You can use "were intercepted" to describe actions where something is stopped or caught before reaching its destination. For example, "The messages "were intercepted" by the authorities before they could be delivered."

What phrases can I use instead of "were intercepted"?

Alternatives include phrases like "were caught", "were seized", or "were blocked", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "were intercepted" or "was intercepted"?

"Were intercepted" is used for plural subjects, while "was intercepted" is for singular subjects. For example, "The messages "were intercepted"" (plural) versus "The message "was intercepted"" (singular).

What's the difference between "were intercepted" and "were discovered"?

"Were intercepted" implies an active effort to stop something, while "were discovered" simply means something was found. For example, "The smuggled goods "were intercepted" at the border", but "The ancient artifacts "were discovered" during the excavation".